New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-10

THE NEW NAVAL BIDS.

Secretary Whitney has had fair measure
&c srccess in his second series of naval pro-
nosals There were two bids Tor the gun
boats and two for the ninctecn-knot cruisers :
Int the Newark again went begging, although
the limit of cost had been increased by Con
cross since the November competition from
81 100 600 TO $l,3OO,OO0. There was, IN
dood y single offer for the Newark at
S1 24s 600 but it was not based upon the
Governments plans and specifications lof
engines and machinery, but upon spcclal uc-
signs to be furnished by the CramlS. IL INC
Secretary considers it necessary 10 nave Nh'
Department plans carried out In deGiii' ho
must advertise again, or else undertake W
bu;,d the vessel at The Brooklyn Navy ldiu'
Eo, oach of the other vessels he has two olds
and can make contracts for their constructor
with responsible shipbuilders. hep'eS''"v'-
tyes of the Roach assignoes have hlduc I,io
lowest proposals for the gunbOatS. i"'
huidcrs of the Baltimore and Charleston coll-
nete for the nnct cn-inot cruisers WIZ"
bids onIv SIS, 900 apart on the Government
mans for hull and machinery
rho fact that there were only three hrms
oo,,n.t;po for any portion OF Government
;ol1 for which S.. 100000 had been appfo-
Dr,otod nv Congress. is not encouraging. Inc
Secretary explains the lack OF h''cioS' So ~.
Inv shipbuildcrs by referring To inc eA"c"u
rcouirements of the Department III rcSp'o' W
Guaranteed speed. This seems IcaSohaolc III
Tho case of the ninetcen-knot CrulSciS, i''
,,bicb tbc contractor is asked to guarantee
b,ohcr snecd than has yet been shown by any
hin in the British Navy The requirements
for the Newark and the gunboats, hoWeNci'
were less rigid and the small numDer ol o'oS
for them cannot be accounted 1or on INC s'n''
ground Apparently Government WORK nus
fallen into disfavOr, Harlan HollhSs"of'n
and other firms not being willing TO uhuer-
n, c il on any terms. 1t is rcasSurlng 10
,carn however. that there is a reasonable
nrospect of the resumption OF work Tor inc
Govcrnmcnt at the Chester ship-yard. Tho
host interests OF the Department will be pro-
NOTED by just and impartial treatment OF
American shipbuildeIs. which VIII encourage
them TO respond to its proposals. TINS VIII
secure general and genuine competition III
future and will scale down the cost OF the
new Navy which all patriotic Americans are
anvious to have built without unnecessary
delay.
Secretary Whitney is at liberty TO exercise
LARGO discretion in awarding the contracts.
He will not sub jcct himself to criticism II ne
ncrmits the San Francisco firm to tax one OF
the ninctecn-knot cruisers, since Congress
nrovidcd that one of the vessels should be
bujIt if practicable on the Pacific Coast, ana
the difference in the bids, $4,000, Is mol
excessive. when allowance is made for tho
long haul of freight on material used in con-
struction. The Cramps, moreover IN DID
ding for the ninctccn-knOt cruisers offer fonr
prices. three of the estimates being baSch
ON notifications OF the designs for hull and
machinery These specifications deserve
careful consideration, especially as the builders
are willing to guarantee the results. The
award of the contracts for the gunbOats to the
lowest bidder may be taken as matter OF
course The Secretary cannot in our udg-
mcnt be too careful to deal cquitably with ali
the bidders and to distribute the work as
widely as possible for the sake Of encouraging
the shipbuilding industry If he desires to
try the experiment Of allowing the builder
20 modify the designs he will do well to take
the Cramps bid for the Newark in preference
TO their special terms for the ninctCcn-knot
cruisers Otherwise the Department will have
to build the ship at its own yard at increased
cost.